Chicago's In For A Seriously Muggy Week With Highs In The 90s

By Gwendolyn Purdom in News on Jul 18, 2016 2:42PM

Photo via Chicagoist Flickr user Ken Ilio

Even if you managed to stay dry as some pretty epic thunderstorms swept through the region Sunday and early Monday morning (a tornado even briefly touched down about two hours southwest of the city), the week ahead will likely leave you soggy anyway. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s later this week, and with humidity, it'll feel like it's in the 100s Thursday and Friday.

Storms Sunday and Monday morning brought more-than-40 mph winds throughout the Chicago area, as well as Iowa, and other parts of the Midwest. During Sunday morning's Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon, nearby lightning strikes resulted in the downtown race being temporarily suspended, though the course re-opened about a half an hour later. A Sunday Morning Vernon Hills house fire was also thought to be started by lightning. In downstate Ford, Kankakee and Iroquois counties, a tornado warning was in effect Sunday night. Some counties suffered downed trees and lightning strikes, but no injuries were reported.

Due to heavy lighting strikes within a 7 mile radius #RnRCHI is being temporary suspended. Seek shelter & stay tuned until storm has passed.

— Rock n Roll Marathon (@RunRocknRoll) July 17, 2016

The coming heat and humidity wave may be the worst the city's seen so far this summer. With predicted temperatures reaching 98 degrees with 60 percent humidity, according to weather.com, Friday might be a good day to stay inside.

The weather phenomenon is known as a "heat dome" according to CNN, and it could create deadly conditions in the Midwest. Chicago temperatures could already climb into the 90s and beyond, but the humidity could push the heat index even higher.